Reunion: A Novel [Paperback]

Lauraine Snelling (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 17, 2012

Keira Johnson, a 50-year-old mother of two grown sons, believes she lives a good Christian life without secrets-- until she discovers a life-jarring fact her late mother kept hidden all her life. Kiera was born out of wedlock, and the man she had always known as her father had adopted her as an infant.

Meanwhile, Keira's beloved 17-year-old niece, Kirsten, has just discovered an unwanted pregnancy. Her boyfriend, Jose, is bound for college and Kirsten does not know what to do. As the family comes together for a reunion, Keira and Kirsten struggle with their fractured pasts and jumbled present. Will truth and honesty be the catalysts that allow the entire family to find peace?

Inspired by events in Lauraine Snelling's own life, REUNION is the author's finest novel to date.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Inspired by events in Snelling's own life, REUNION is a beautiful story about characters discovering themselves as the foundation of their family comes apart at the seams. Readers may recognize themselves or someone they know within the pages of this book, which belongs on everyone's keeper shelf." (RT Book Reviews )

"Snelling writes about the foibles of human nature with keen insight and sweet honesty." (National Church Library Association )

"REUNION is a captivating tale that will hook you from the very start....Fans of Christian fiction will love this touching story." (FreshFiction.com )

"Snelling's previous novels (One Perfect Day) have been popular with readers, and this one, loosely based on her own life, will be no exception." (Publishers Weekly )

About the Author

Lauraine Snelling has been writing since 1980, with over 65 books published, both fiction and non-fiction, historical and contemporary, for adults and young readers. Her books consistently appear on CBA bestseller lists, and have been translated into Norwegian, Danish, and German. A hallmark of her style is writing about real issues of forgiveness, loss, domestic violence, and cancer within a compelling story. Lauraine and her husband, Wayne, have two grown sons, and live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a watchdog Bassett named Chewy. Visit her Web site at www.laurainesnelling.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords (July 17, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892969091
• ISBN-13: 978-0892969098
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.6 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #147,441 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lauraine Snelling, an award-winning author of fifty-plus books with sales of over 2 million copies, also writes for a wide range of magazines and teaches at writers' conferences across the country. She and her husband make their home in Tehachapi, California.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#32 in Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality

#64 in Books > Religion & Spirituality

#32 in Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality

#64 in Books > Religion & Spirituality

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Emotional Read July 31, 2012

By M. Fields

Format:Paperback

What an emotional read. This is the first book that I have read by Lauraine Snelling, and I am very happy I picked it up. She weaves a bunch of plots together and you can't wait to find out what is going to happen next. As you are reading this book you feel as if you are right there part of the family and all of the issues that they are facing. I was very happy how everything turned out in the end! I highly recommend this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Boring September 28, 2012

By Emily

Format:Paperback

Written by: Lauraine Snelling
Published by: Faith Words

I really liked Lauraine Snelling's books as a kid, and so I was excited to read a grown up one now.

Reunion is the story of two families. One of them finds out that their perfect daughter is expecting a baby, just days before her high school graduation. The other family finds out that the family history they had known isn't true.

Who the book is for:

Contemporary fiction readers, especially women.

What I liked:

I thought the idea of the story was good...

What I didn't like:

...but I found it written in a way that was boring.

(Spoiler) I thought it was a bit unrealistic that the girl in the book chose to give her baby to her brother and sister-in-law to raise.

My conclusion:

This book was not what I was expecting, and was a big disappointment to me.

I give Reunion 2 out of 5 stars.

I received this book free to review from Faith Words. The opinions expressed in this review are my true thoughts and feeling regarding this book. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Reunion by Lauraine Snelling August 21, 2012

By Julia A. Heasley

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a novel about a family with issues. It's also about the strong love of a family which overcomes obstacles and binds the members together. As always, Snelling's characters are honest and winsome. I enjoyed the book. Her books always make me regret not being Norwegian!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Reunion Success August 11, 2012

By Jo L. Miller

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

As all of her books, this was well written, kept my interest. It showed family 'dating way back' and getting everything together at the appropriate time.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A moving, emotional read July 27, 2012

By christianfictionaddiction

Format:Paperback

If you are in the mood for a moving, emotional read, then Reunion in the book for you! Lauraine Snelling deftly tackles some difficult issues in her latest book, issues like family secrets, an unexpected pregnancy, and feelings of betrayal, and she does so in a manner that keeps the pace of the story moving along. The characters are well-rounded and realistically portrayed, characters who have moments of selflessness worthy of admiration, but also moments where they are all too human and make mistakes. I especially liked the character of Kirsten, who handles her unwanted pregnancy exactly how many Christians do today, battling depression and a fierce desire to hide their secret, facing temptations to choose abortion, or treating the baby's father with disrespect and even contempt. What I most love about all of the characters' stories is the grace that shines in the moments of hardships, the way that they end up drawing around each other to offer love, though the road to getting there has a few bumps along with the way. My one critique of the story is that I felt the story was wrapped up a little too neatly and conveniently at the end, but I can't deny that the conclusion is one that will leave readers closing the book with a smile on their face.

I strongly recommend this book, especially for readers who have enjoyed previous stories by Lauraine Snelling or other authors like Karen Kingsbury. Themes of forgiveness and grace make this a worthwhile read. I award this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Book has been provided courtesy of the publisher for the purposes of this unbiased review.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great testimony to forgiveness & unconditional love July 20, 2012

By Loren M. Mcghee

Format:Paperback

Reunion is such a wonderful and powerful book! I wish everyone could read this book! Lauraine delves into very real and very emotional issues.

Keira and Kirsten walk through some very difficult trials but neither one of them does it alone. With the unconditional love and support of family, they face the truth and consequences of their actions, as well as the actions of others. They learn that facing the "truth" is not always the easy thing to do BUT it is ALWAYS the BEST thing to do!

To me, when unconditional love is given, it provides a strength that allows me to face things that otherwise I wouldn't be able to. When that unconditional love is coupled with forgiveness... WOW! Love and Forgiveness are universal ~ Reunion is a great testimony for both!

Sarah Reck and HachetteBookGroup/Faith Words ~ Thank you sooo much for allowing me to read this complimentary book in exchange for my honest opinion.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I read it in one day! Amazing story and characters made me unable to put it down. July 19, 2012

By Crystal Fulcher VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

I read Reunion in one day. Started it mid-afternoon, finished it before bed. That should pretty much say it all. Once I started, I had to finish it. And wow, what an enjoyable book.

The characters, Kiera, her husband Bjorn, her brother Marcus and his wife and Kiera's best friend Leah were all wonderful. Kiera and Leah played the starring roles in the book alongside Kirsten, Leah's 17-year-old daughter. Each character was masterfully developed from the beginning. I got to know Kiera, Leah, Kirsten and even Marcus, Bjorn and Jose a little bit. But the main characters were developed in such a way that I felt like I understood them and understood their motivations. I like it when I can understand and relate to a character, even when the characters are older and younger than me as they were in this book.

The overall book was made up of several plots wove together to make up the book as as a whole. And the plots were wove together masterfully. I liked seeing each story come to life, the trials and tribulations, the tests of faith. The twists and turns and the things I thought would happen that didn't and the things that I didn't expect, did. Ms. Snelling has created a compelling plot with Reunion by using problems that everyday people have to face head-on and dealing with the what-ifs in a way that brings the story to life in front of my eyes and makes me feel like I know each one of the characters like they are my best friend.

Reunion is an amazing book. A rare find that really tackles life's problems but still leaves you feeling upbeat in the end. I loved this book and I am so glad I got the chance to read and review it. It is a rare gem that should be enjoyed by readers that are intrigued by it.... So if it sounds the least bit appealing to you, I suggest you go out and get it. I don't think you will regret it. Read more ›